In an extraordinary breakthrough, the University of Minnesota has conducted an extensive analysis of over 1,300 studies spanning a century, unearthing fascinating correlations between human cognition and personality traits. These findings shed light on the intricate relationship between who we are as individuals and how our minds function. Personality traits, acting as the foundation of our identities, influence our behaviors, emotions, and thinking patterns. Meanwhile, cognitive abilities represent our capacity to comprehend and navigate complex concepts, encompassing language proficiency, mathematical understanding, and logical reasoning.
While it has long been assumed that certain connections exist, such as introversion being associated with higher intelligence, a comprehensive understanding of these intricate relationships had been lacking in the scientific community.
The groundbreaking research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, synthesizes data from over 1,300 studies conducted over the past century. This vast dataset encompasses more than 2 million participants from 50 countries and incorporates information from academic journals, test manuals, military databases, previously unpublished datasets, and even proprietary databases of private companies.
This monumental endeavor delves deep into the realm of personality traits and cognitive abilities, spanning across diverse cultures and demographic groups. The study encompasses a wide range of 79 personality traits, including modesty and agreeableness, and examines 97 cognitive abilities, such as reading speed and memory.
Deniz Ones, a co-author of the study and a professor of psychology in the College of Liberal Arts, remarked, “Understanding the relationship between personality and intelligence allows us to delve into the deeper question of why these connections exist. These findings revolutionize our comprehension of human diversity and individuality. By truly knowing ourselves, we can unlock our full potential.”
Key discoveries from the research include:
- Active and energetic individuals tend to exhibit superior cognitive abilities, including extensive knowledge, efficient memory retrieval, and enhanced information processing. Across various subjects, active individuals tend to possess a wealth of knowledge.
- Individuals experiencing high levels of depression or anxiety may encounter challenges in knowledge acquisition and logical reasoning.
- Industrious and compassionate individuals demonstrate stronger verbal and quantitative knowledge skills, revealing an intriguing link between personality traits and learning processes.
- Open-mindedness, characterized by a receptivity to fresh ideas, exhibits robust positive relationships with numerous cognitive abilities.
Kevin Stanek, a co-author of the study and former leader of the College’s Personality and Intelligence Lab, stated, “It took over 13 years and the dedication of more than 30 volunteers to gather, translate, input, and analyze the vast array of studies. We extend our sincere gratitude to the research team, as well as the numerous scholars, librarians, and companies who generously contributed their time and data to construct this comprehensive mosaic.”
An unexpected revelation from the research is the consistency of research methods employed over the past century. Contemporary personality research still relies heavily on self-reporting of agreement with written statements. To address this stagnation, the authors are actively exploring innovative approaches, such as sensor studies and generative AI, to assess personality traits and cognitive abilities.
Reference: “Meta-analytic relations between personality and cognitive ability” by Kevin C. Stanek and Deniz S. Ones, 30 May 2023, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212794120
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about personality-cognitive correlations
What is the main focus of the University of Minnesota study?
The main focus of the University of Minnesota study is to explore the correlations between personality traits and cognitive abilities.
How comprehensive is the study?
The study analyzed over 1,300 previous studies spanning a century, making it a comprehensive analysis of the subject.
What are some key findings of the research?
The research reveals that active individuals tend to have better command over cognitive abilities, individuals with higher levels of depression or anxiety may struggle with knowledge accumulation, industrious and compassionate individuals possess better verbal and quantitative skills, and open-mindedness correlates with several cognitive abilities.
How was the study conducted?
The study synthesized data from over 1,300 studies conducted over a century, involving more than 2 million participants from 50 countries. It incorporated data from academic journals, test manuals, military databases, previously unpublished datasets, and proprietary databases of private companies.
What is the significance of these findings?
These findings revolutionize our understanding of human diversity and individuality by establishing connections between personality and intelligence. Understanding these connections can help individuals tap into their full potential.
How long did it take to conduct the research?
The research took over 13 years and involved a team of over 30 volunteers to gather, translate, enter, and analyze the vast amount of data from the 1,300 studies.
Are there any plans for future research?
The authors are exploring innovative methods, such as sensor studies and generative AI, to assess personality traits and cognitive abilities, aiming to overcome limitations of self-reporting in contemporary research methods.
Where can I find the research publication?
The research publication titled “Meta-analytic relations between personality and cognitive ability” by Kevin C. Stanek and Deniz S. Ones can be found in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences with the DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212794120.
More about personality-cognitive correlations
- University of Minnesota: https://www.umn.edu/
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: https://www.pnas.org/
- Personality and Intelligence Lab at the University of Minnesota: [Lab website](insert lab website URL if available)
- Kevin C. Stanek’s ResearchGate profile: [ResearchGate profile](insert ResearchGate profile URL if available)
- Deniz S. Ones’ faculty page at the University of Minnesota: [Faculty page](insert faculty page URL if available)
5 comments
Intersting findngs! The Univ. of MN study hs unravld ths amazng reltionship btwn personlity nd intelligenc. It’s cool 2 see how they combind all tht data frm differnt sources. It’s revlutionary!
OMG, ths is lik somthng out of a sci-fi novel! Scntists at UMN have discovrd ths mind-blowing connction btwn personality traits nd how smart ppl r. Ths is totly game-changng stuff! Lovng it!
Ths reasearch is aweome! It’s lik the Univrsity of MN did an extrordinry job in analzing all thse studies nd linking personality nd cognitive abilits. I cn’t wait 2 red more abt ths topic!
wow! dis txt is so cool! it’s like they figured out a relly smart way 2 study how ppl r & how their brain works. love how they say it’s a groundbreaking study. soooooo interesting!
Woah, I never knew tht personalty traits nd brain power had such a tight bond! Kudos to the UMN rsarchers for their dediction nd hard wrk in cnducting ths cmrehensive study. I’m defntely lookng frward to lerning more!